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The Mission Act

Thursday, April 18, 2019

For the first time in nearly 45 years,
more than half of the US veterans are under the age of 65. Along with such a
large veteran population, comes their (higher) expectations of the Veteran
Affairs health system. Many now have different attitudes towards their care and
want it in a timely and convenient manner, and who can blame them?

Veterans Affairs Secretary, Robert
Wilkie, has learned from his experience watching his father go through the VA
healthcare system and knew something needed to change. Since, The Mission Act,
passed last summer, will go into effect this June and aims to provide expanded
health care to veterans. When the act is implemented, veterans will now be able
to see a private sector doctor if it is in the best interest of the veteran or
if the VA is unable to provide the care needed.

Current regulations advise that
veterans can visit a private sector doctor if the veteran lives more than 40
miles from the nearest VA facility or if they have to wait more than 30 days to
see a VA doctor. With the change, veterans can now visit a private sector
doctor if they face a 20-day waiting period or if they live more than 30
minutes from a VA facility. This is a huge expansion on the regulation and allows
a lot of veterans to get proper and desperately needed care.

There are many critics that say the VA
can not handle this big of a change and that, by promoting outside care to
veterans, undermines the entire VA health care system. The VFW voiced concerns
that this change emphasizes convenience over the quality of care and that many
private sector doctors do not have experience with veterans who suffer from
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, Secretary Wilkie believes that
allowing veterans to have private sector care and introducing new care
techniques, such as tele-health services, will triple the amount of veterans
who are eligible for care and will reach those in rural areas.

President Trump has long been an
advocate of “Veterans Choice” healthcare and this has been a major
talking point for him during his speeches. But several members of congress are
actively trying to delay the implementation of the Mission Act, saying it will
be too costly and will create problems for the VA. One thing is for certain
though, change does need to happen to ensure the health care of our veterans
remains a top priority.

If you or a loved one needs assistance
with receiving care through the VA, please contact the experienced lawyers at
Turley, Redmond, Rosasco, and Rosasco at 855-280-7586 for a free no-obligation
consultation.